Identifying ECG signals having the same morphology

ABSTRACT

A method, including selecting an initial set of electrocardiograph (ECG) signals taken over a single heartbeat of a human subject, the set having respective morphologies to be used as a template for an arrhythmia of the subject, and receiving a subsequent set of ECG signals taken over a subsequent heartbeat of the human subject. The method also includes performing a cross-correlation between the initial set and the subsequent set, so as to generate a correlation coefficient that is a measure of a goodness of fit between geometries of the initial set and the subsequent set, and, when the correlation coefficient exceeds a threshold coefficient, accepting the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/372,969, filed Aug. 10, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to electrocardiograph (ECG) signals, and specifically to detecting ECG signals having similar morphologies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For correctly mapping regions of a heart chamber which generate an arrhythmia, it is essential that only signals, or beats, exhibiting that specific arrhythmia are captured. Signals from effects such as ectopic beats, mechanical stimulation of the tissue, and arrhythmia changes in morphology due to alternative activation patterns with the same cycle length, should be ignored. Introducing results from such signals into a map will cause inaccuracies in the local activation map, and the deformed visualization of the arrhythmia makes it difficult to clearly identify the arrhythmia mechanisms.

Documents incorporated by reference in the present patent application are to be considered an integral part of the application except that, to the extent that any terms are defined in these incorporated documents in a manner that conflicts with definitions made explicitly or implicitly in the present specification, only the definitions in the present specification should be considered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, including:

selecting an initial set of electrocardiograph (ECG) signals taken over a single heartbeat of a human subject, the set having respective morphologies to be used as a template for an arrhythmia of the subject;

receiving a subsequent set of ECG signals taken over a subsequent heartbeat of the human subject;

performing a cross-correlation between the initial set and the subsequent set, so as to generate a correlation coefficient that is a measure of a goodness of fit between geometries of the initial set and the subsequent set; and

when the correlation coefficient exceeds a threshold coefficient, accepting the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia.

A disclosed embodiment includes delineating an initial set time window of interest (initial set WOI) around an initial set assumed time of occurrence of the initial set, delineating a subsequent set time window of interest (subsequent set WOI) around a subsequent set assumed time of occurrence of the subsequent set, and using signals of the initial set within the initial set WOI, and signals of the subsequent set within the subsequent WOI in performing the cross-correlation. Typically, the initial set WOI and the subsequent set WOI have a common temporal width.

A further disclosed embodiment includes applying a phase shift between the initial set and the subsequent set prior to performing the cross-correlation. The further disclosed embodiment may also include iteratively altering the phase shift to determine a maximum correlation coefficient, and accepting the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia when the maximum correlation coefficient exceeds the threshold coefficient.

In a yet further disclosed embodiment accepting the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia includes incorporating an indication of a location of the arrhythmia into a map of a heart of the human subject.

The ECG signals may be body surface (BS) ECG signals.

Alternatively or additionally, the ECG signals may be intra-cardiac (IC) ECG signals.

There is further provided, according to an embodiment of the present invention, apparatus, including:

a set of electrodes, configured to receive an initial set of electrocardiograph (ECG) signals taken over a single heartbeat of a human subject, the set having respective morphologies to be used as a template for an arrhythmia of the subject, and to receive a subsequent set of ECG signals taken over a subsequent heartbeat of the human subject; and

a processor, configured to perform a cross-correlation between the initial set and the subsequent set, so as to generate a correlation coefficient that is a measure of a goodness of fit between geometries of the initial set and the subsequent set, and when the correlation coefficient exceeds a threshold coefficient, accept the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia.

The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an invasive medical procedure, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating inputs and outputs of an ECG morphology matching algorithm, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the ECG morphology matching algorithm, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating operations of blocks of the algorithm, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Overview

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ECG morphology matching algorithm which aims to identify all beats representing the same morphology in ECG signals. The algorithm is compatible with body surface (BS) (typically 12 leads) signals and/or intra-cardiac (IC) signals. The algorithm receives a morphology pattern of ECG signals as an input and searches for the same morphology in continuous ECG signals.

A user of the present invention selects the input morphology pattern by defining a window of interest (WOI) around a specific annotation, The algorithm compares the morphology of the selected pattern with the morphology of incoming ECG signals. Beats that are within a predetermined weighted correlation threshold are considered to represent the same morphology. The algorithm operates in real-time, as beat signals are acquired by a probe in the heart.

By using the results of the algorithm, regions of the heart that are the source of the matched beats may be indicated automatically on a map of the heart.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising selecting an initial set of electrocardiograph (ECG) signals taken over a single heartbeat of a human subject, the set having respective morphologies to be used as a template for an arrhythmia of the subject, and receiving a subsequent set of ECG signals taken over a subsequent heartbeat of the human subject. The method further comprises performing a cross-correlation between the initial set and the subsequent set, so as to generate a correlation coefficient that is a measure of a goodness of fit between geometries of the initial set and the subsequent set. When the correlation coefficient exceeds a threshold coefficient, the subsequent heartbeat is accepted as having been caused by the arrhythmia.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an invasive medical procedure using an apparatus 20, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The procedure is performed by a medical professional 22, and, by way of example, the procedure in the description hereinbelow is assumed to comprise acquisition of intra-cardiac electrocardiogram (IC ECG) signals from a heart 24 of a human patient 26. While embodiments of the present invention analyze either IC ECG or BS (body surface) ECG signals, for simplicity and clarity the following description, except where otherwise stated, assumes that IC ECG signals are analyzed.

In order to acquire the IC ECG signals, professional 22 inserts a probe 28 into a sheath 30 that has been pre-positioned in a lumen of the patient. Sheath 30 is positioned so that a distal end 32 of the probe may enter the heart of the patient, after exiting a distal end 34 of the sheath, and contact tissue of the heart.

Probe 28 may comprise any type of catheter that can be inserted into the heart of the patient, and that can be tracked, typically using a magnetic tracking system and/or an impedance measuring system. For example, probe 28 may comprise a lasso catheter, a shaft-like catheter, or a pentaRay catheter, produced by Biosense Webster of Diamond Bar, CA, or catheters generally similar to these catheters. Biosense Webster also produces a magnetic tracking system and an impedance measuring system that may be used in embodiments of the present invention.

Probe 28 comprises one or more electrodes 36, which are used to acquire the ECG signals used by a processor 40, comprised in apparatus 20, in performing the algorithms described herein. Processor 40, in addition to acting as a central processing unit, may comprise real-time noise reduction circuitry 44, typically configured as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), followed by an analog-to-digital (A/D) signal conversion integrated circuit 46. The processor can pass the signal from A/D circuit 46 to another processor and can be programmed to perform the algorithms disclosed herein.

Processor 40 is located in an operating console 60 of the apparatus. Console 60 comprises controls 62 which are used by professional 22 to communicate with the processor. During the procedure, processor 40 communicates with an ECG module 66 in a module bank 70, in order to acquire ECG signals as well as to perform the algorithms disclosed herein.

ECG module 66 receives ECG signals from electrode 36. In one embodiment the signals are transferred, in module 66, through a low noise pre-amplifier 68, and via low pass and high pass filters 71A, 71B, to a main amplifier 72. Module 436 also comprises an analog to digital converter (ADC) 74, which transfers digitized values of the ECG signals to processor 40, for implementation by the processor of the algorithms described herein. Typically, processor 40 controls the operation of pre-amplifier 68, filters 71A, 71B, amplifier 72, and ADC 74.

For simplicity FIG. 1 illustrates ECG module 66 as having one channel for receiving signals from electrode 36. However, it will be understood that the module typically comprises multiple channels substantially similar to that shown. For example, module 66 may comprise 12 such channels, which may be used to receive signals from 12 body surface electrodes.

ECG module 66 enables processor 40 to acquire and analyze EP (electrophysiological) signals received by electrode 36, including the ECG signals referred to herein. The signals are typically presented to professional 22 as voltage-time graphs, which are updated in real time, on a display screen 80.

The software for processor 40 and module bank 70 may be downloaded to the processor in electronic form, over a network, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the software may be provided on non-transitory tangible media, such as optical, magnetic, or electronic storage media.

In order to operate apparatus 20, module bank 70 typically comprises modules other than the ECG module described above, such as one or more tracking modules allowing the processor to track the distal end of probe 28. For simplicity, such other modules are not illustrated in FIG. 1. All modules may comprise hardware as well as software elements.

In addition to display screen 80 presenting ECG signals acquired by electrode 411, results of the algorithms described herein may also be presented to the algorithm user on the display screen. For example, the results may be incorporated into a map 82 of heart 24.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating inputs and outputs of an ECG morphology matching algorithm, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The algorithm is implemented by processor 40, and acts as a morphology matching filter 100 which accepts as inputs:

-   -   A set 102 of ECG signals which have been processed as described         above, by multiple channels of ECG module 66.     -   Reference annotations 104 of the signals, computed by processor         40. An annotation of a signal is an assumed time of occurrence         of the signal. In one embodiment the annotation corresponds to         the time of occurrence of the largest positive value on one         selected ECG signal. Several criteria options exist for the         reference annotation (positive value, negative value, largest         negative slope, largest positive slope) and for IC ECG signals         the time of occurrence typically corresponds to the time of         activation of the section of myocardium generating the signal.         Criteria for choosing the ECG signal for annotations,         corresponding to that described above or other criteria, may be         defined by professional 22. The professional also selects the         ECG channels to be used to acquire the signals being analyzed.         For BS ECG signals there are typically 12 channels; for IC ECG         signals the number of channels corresponds to the number of         electrodes 36 being used.     -   A morphology pattern 106. This is a set of ECG signals that is         selected by professional 22, and that is captured at a specific         point in time, with a window of interest (WOI) around         annotations of the signals that are defined by the professional.         The WOI defines the time period for the morphology matching         algorithm. Morphology pattern 106 acts as a template against         which other ECG signals are compared, and the pattern may also         be referred to herein as a template.     -   A correlation threshold 108, set by professional 22, to be used         by the algorithm in deciding if a beat matches the morphology         pattern.

Outputs of the algorithm are:

-   -   A beat status 110. I.e., an accepted beat having the same         morphology as the input morphology pattern 106, or a rejected         beat having a different morphology from the input pattern. In         one embodiment a location of an accepted beat is incorporated         into a map of the heart generating the ECG signals.     -   A correlation score 112 for each channel of set 102 of signals         (in some embodiments these scores may not be presented to         professional 22).     -   A weighted correlation score 114, calculated over all the         channels, for each beat.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the ECG morphology matching algorithm, and FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are schematic diagrams illustrating operations of blocks of the algorithm, according to an embodiment of the present invention. By way of example processor 40 is assumed to operate the algorithm. In other embodiments the processor may be a stand-alone processor, and/or a general purpose processor that is typically operating a computer.

In a first step of the algorithm, corresponding to the “single Channel Correlation” block 120, the processor performs a correlation, with stored morphology pattern 106, within the WOI period as defined by professional 22, for every channel of an incoming beat. FIG. 4 illustrates how the correlation is performed. As shown in FIG. 4, the processor uses as inputs:

-   -   Morphology pattern 106 (Pattern i) described above with         reference to FIG. 2.     -   An ECG signal to be tested (ECG i,j). The signal to be tested         has a WOI temporal width corresponding to the WOI width of the         morphology pattern defined by professional 22. The temporal         position of the WOI is selected to include a real-time         annotation, calculated by the processor, of the signal.

i is a numerical index defining the channel of the pattern (typically, for BS ECG, i=1, 2, . . . 12), and j is a numerical index defining a position of an annotation of the ECG signal.

The processor calculates, for each channel, a correlation coefficient according to the following equation:

$\begin{matrix} {{{Correlation}\mspace{14mu}\left( {x,y} \right)} = \frac{\sum_{k}{\left( {x - \overset{\_}{x}} \right)\left( {y - \overset{\_}{y}} \right)}}{\sqrt{\sum_{k}{\left( {x - \overset{\_}{x}} \right)^{2}\left( {y - \overset{\_}{y}} \right)^{2}}}}} & (1) \end{matrix}$

where

x is the sample value of the template reference ECG data,

x is the average value of the template reference ECG data,

y is the sample value of the current beat ECG data being tested,

y is the average value of the current beat ECG data being tested, and

k is a numerical index defining which data sample of the ECG signal is being analyzed. For example, if the WOI is for 120 msec, from −50 msec (before the reference annotation) to +70 msec (after the reference annotation), and we sample every msec, then k is a set of 120 values for the 120 samples.

It will be understood that the correlation performed by equation (1) compares the geometries, or shapes, of the template reference ECG data with the current beat ECG data. A high value of Correlation (x,y), i.e., close to unity, means that the two geometries, of the template and of the current beat, are similar.

In a second step of the algorithm, corresponding to an “Overall Weighted Correlation” block 124 of FIG. 3, the processor calculates an overall correlation, for a specific beat, using the values of the correlation coefficient calculated in the first step, i.e., according to equation (1).

FIG. 5 illustrates how the correlation is performed. As shown in FIG. 5, the processor uses as inputs:

-   -   The correlation score, i.e., the output of equation (1) for each         channel of a beat being tested. The beat being tested is the ECG         signal (of the particular channel) which is in a WOI around a         current annotation.     -   The ECG signal (beat) being tested.     -   The morphology pattern (Pattern i) described above with         reference to FIG. 1.

Also as shown in FIG. 5, the processor calculates an absolute maximum amplitude Ai,j of the ECG signal being tested, and an absolute maximum amplitude Bi of the morphology pattern.

The processor uses the sum of Ai,j and Bi as weights to calculate an overall correlation according to equation (2):

$\begin{matrix} {{{Overall}\mspace{14mu}{Correlation}} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{N}{\left( {A_{i,j} + B_{i}} \right){Corr}_{i,j}}}{\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{N}\left( {A_{i,j} + B_{i}} \right)}} & (2) \end{matrix}$

Where Corri,j is the correlation coefficient calculated by equation (1), and N is the number of ECG channels being analyzed. In the case of BS signals, N is typically 12.

The overall correlation coefficient calculated by equation (2) depends on the phase of the ECG signal being tested relative to the phase of the morphology pattern.

In a third step of the algorithm, corresponding to a “Phase Shift” block 128 of FIG. 3, the processor iteratively changes the phase, of the ECG signal being tested, relative to the phase of the morphology pattern. The processor uses as inputs:

-   -   The value of the overall correlation from equation (2).     -   The correlation threshold 108 (FIG. 2) as set by professional         22. The threshold may be between 0 and 1, and a typical value is         0.9.

FIG. 6 explains, in an iteration set of blocks, the iterative process performed by single channel correlation block 120, overall weighted correlation block 124, and phase shift block 128. As shown in FIG. 6, at each iteration, the processor repeats the first two steps described above, in a “shifted single channel correlation” block 120′ and a “shifted overall correlation” Block 124′. During the iterations the processor determines a maximum value of the overall correlation as the result of equation (2).

FIG. 6 illustrates that phase shift iterations are performed every 1 msec in a ±40 msec time frame measured from the annotation of the beat being analyzed. An index k defines the phase shift being evaluated, and k={−40, . . . 0, . . . +40}. At each iteration the value of the shifted overall correlation is compared to a previous maximum correlation in a comparison block 130, and if comparison 130 returns positive the overall correlation is updated in an update block 134.

If the return is negative control continues to a comparison block 138, which checks if there are any more values of index k to be iterated. If there are, k is incremented in an incremental block 142, the new value of k is applied to the ECG signal in a signal block 146, and the flowchart returns to block 120′.

If the iterations have completed, then control continues to a final comparison block 152, where the output of the iteration set of blocks, the maximum value of the overall correlation that is in block 134 is compared to the input threshold value. If the comparison returns positive, the beat is assumed to represent the same arrhythmia as the morphology pattern. In this case processor 40 may add this beat information into collective information of map 82 of the heart (FIG. 1). If the comparison returns negative, the beat is assumed to represent a different arrhythmia from the morphology pattern, and therefore the information is not added to the map collective information.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method, comprising: acquiring an initial set of electrocardiograph (ECG) signals from a set of electrodes positioned in a heart of a human subject, the initial set of ECG signals being taken over a single heartbeat of the human subject, the initial set of ECG signals having initial respective morphology patterns to be used as a template for an arrhythmia of the subject, the initial set of ECG signals having an initial set of time of occurrence annotations; receiving a subsequent set of ECG signals from the set of electrodes positioned in the heart of the human subject, the subsequent set of ECG signals being taken over a subsequent heartbeat of the human subject, the subsequent set of ECG signals having subsequent respective morphology patterns and a subsequent set of time of occurrence annotations; computing a weighted cross-correlation between the initial set of ECG signals and the subsequent set of ECG signals, so as to generate a weighted correlation coefficient that is a measure of a match between the initial respective morphology patterns of the initial set of ECG signals and the subsequent respective morphology patterns of the subsequent set of ECG signals; and when the weighted correlation coefficient exceeds a threshold coefficient, accepting the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia and automatically incorporating an indication of a location of the arrhythmia into a local activation map of the heart of the human subject.
 2. The method according to claim 1, and comprising delineating an initial time window of interest (initial WOI) around the initial set of time of occurrence annotations of the initial set of ECG signals, delineating a subsequent time window of interest (subsequent WOI) around the subsequent set of time of occurrence annotations of the subsequent set of ECG signals, and using ECG signals of the initial set of ECG signals within the initial WOI, and ECG signals of the subsequent set of ECG signals within the subsequent WOI in performing the weighted cross-correlation.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the initial WOI and the subsequent WOI have a common temporal width.
 4. The method according to claim 1, and comprising applying a phase shift between the initial set of ECG signals and the subsequent set of ECG signals prior to performing the weighted cross-correlation.
 5. The method according to claim 4, and comprising iteratively altering the phase shift to determine a maximum weighted correlation coefficient, and accepting the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia when the maximum weighted correlation coefficient exceeds the threshold coefficient.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ECG signals are body surface (BS) ECG signals.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ECG signals are intra-cardiac (IC) ECG signals.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the weighted cross-correlation is computed using an average value of the initial set of ECG signals and average value of the subsequent set of ECG signals.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the weighted cross-correlation is weighted based on a maximum absolute amplitude value of the initial set of ECG signals and on a maximum absolute amplitude value of the subsequent set of ECG signals.
 10. Apparatus, comprising: a set of electrodes, configured to be positioned in a heart of a human subject to acquire an initial set of electrocardiograph (ECG) signals taken over a single heartbeat of the human subject, the initial set of ECG signals having initial respective morphology patterns to be used as a template for an arrhythmia of the subject, the initial set of ECG signals having an initial set of time of occurrence annotations and to acquire a subsequent set of ECG signals from the set of electrodes positioned in the heart of the human subject, the subsequent set of ECG signals being taken over a subsequent heartbeat of the human subject, the subsequent set of ECG signals having subsequent respective morphology patterns and a subsequent set of time of occurrence annotations; an ECG module configured to receive the initial set of ECG signals and the subsequent set of ECG signals; and a processor, configured to communicate with the ECG module to compute a weighted cross-correlation between the initial set of ECG signals and the subsequent set of ECG signals, so as to generate a weighted correlation coefficient that is a measure of a match between the initial respective morphology patterns of the initial set of ECG signals and the subsequent respective morphology patterns of the subsequent set of ECG signals, and when the weighted correlation coefficient exceeds a threshold coefficient, accept the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia and automatically incorporating an indication of a location of the arrhythmia into a local activation map of the heart of the human subject.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, and comprising delineating an initial time window of interest (initial WOI) around the initial set of time of occurrence annotations of the initial set of ECG signals, delineating a subsequent time window of interest (subsequent WOI) around the subsequent set of time of occurrence annotations of the subsequent set of ECG signals, and using ECG signals of the initial set of ECG signals within the initial WOI, and ECG signals of the subsequent set of ECG signals within the subsequent WOI in performing the weighted cross-correlation.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the initial WOI and the subsequent WOI have a common temporal width.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the processor is configured to apply a phase shift between the initial set of ECG signals and the subsequent set of ECG signals prior to performing the weighted cross-correlation.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to iteratively alter the phase shift to determine a maximum weighted correlation coefficient, and to accept the subsequent heartbeat as having been caused by the arrhythmia when the maximum weighted correlation coefficient exceeds the threshold coefficient.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ECG signals are body surface (BS) ECG signals.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the ECG signals are intra-cardiac (IC) ECG signals.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the weighted cross-correlation is computed using an average value of the initial set of ECG signals and average value of the subsequent set of ECG signals.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the weighted cross-correlation is weighted based on a maximum absolute amplitude value of the initial set of ECG signals and on a maximum absolute amplitude value of the subsequent set of ECG signals. 